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Tag: grief

The Five Stages of Grief

“Grief is like the ocean; it comes on waves ebbing and flowing. Sometimes the water is calm, and sometimes it is overwhelming. All we can do is learn to swim.” – Vicki Harrison

The emotions we feel from losing a loved one can be overwhelming. As we try to process this loss, grief begins to set in. Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, a renowned psychiatrist, established the theory that grief occurs in five distinct stages: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. Of course, all of us grieve differently, but at some point, we will come to experience one or more of these stages. Continue reading to learn more about the five stages of grief.

Denial

The first stage in the theory is denial. It is used to minimize the pain of loss. As we are trying to comprehend a reality without our loved one, we need to survive this intense emotional pain. Denial slows the process down so we can adjust to a new reality. It’s a time where we may reflect on experiences with this person and wonder how to move on without them.

Anger

After losing a person we love, we can experience anger. Extreme emotions, such as anger, is something that happens when we are uncomfortable. So when we express anger, we may be left feeling isolated in our experiences. Because it’s such a strong emotional release, it can push others away or let us be perceived as unapproachable.

Bargaining

Desperation sets in as we begin to bargain with ourselves. We start to consider ways to avoid the pain. We may find ourselves making requests to a higher power. There also are moments where we may feel completely helpless because the situation is out of our control. We are trying to get back control, even though the pain is inevitable.

Depression

As we come to terms with the loss, we are now faced with reality. We can begin to grieve, but feel a deep sadness that wasn’t there before. During this time, we may retreat inward and become less sociable. This sadness can slowly turn into depression, which has multiple signs. From loss of appetite to feelings of hopelessness, depression comes in many forms.

Acceptance

As we reach a place of acceptance, we can begin to move forward. We may still feel the pain of loss, but we can begin to heal and reconnect with others for support. We can start to feel more hopeful again.

Conclusion

If you feel overwhelmed by sadness or grief in your life, contact our experienced hypnosis and EFT specialists at the Mind Enhancement Center. We offer grief management so you can regain control in your daily life and routine. Please give us a call at (817)-589-7407 today!

Harnessing the Power of Sadness

If the title of this blogpost made you think about the gloomy character from the animated film Inside Out, you’re not entirely on the wrong track. Contrary to what some may think, not all depression is useless. Being sad—in the right way—can offer various practical strengths if we can learn to employ them. This blogpost delves into three major ones.

Better appreciation for life

Too often we take for granted things we only appreciate once we lose them. For many people who are caught in bouts of severe sadness, this is true. Once the individual emerges from the melancholy state, their eyes are newly open to what they have been missing—appreciating the “little” things like a good laugh, hearty meal, clement weather, relationships with friends, etc. It’s similar to the way one loses contact with a friend or a coworker, later to realize how much one underappreciated their friendship and companionship.

Solidarity with others’ sadness

For instance, those who have been sad can mourn with others who are mourning. One prime example would be losing someone dear to you. Once you have grieved the loss, you become a new member of a unique group of people who have experienced the same or a similar loss. Now you are able to personally and viscerally understand those who have experienced the same kind of incidents in their lives. For example, a recent widow can be walking through her home and have a sense of her late spouse’s cologne or think she momentarily saw him standing in the hallway. These are all normal experiences for someone like her, because they have had so many memories they have shared throughout their lives.

Being the comfort that you wanted

The third point that we are writing about deals with experiencing sadness and empathizing with others’ sadness. This can help one develop a wonderful support system. One example would be to be rejected by a job recruiter yourself only to become able to better sympathize with others who have had the same rejection. Another example would be to suffer from a chronic malady and then go on to better understand someone who is suffering from the same one. In some times of trial, hearing someone say, “I know exactly how you feel” can be a powerful comfort. Other times, something else could be more appropriate: “I don’t know exactly how you feel, but I am here to listen and help you any way I can.” And since everyone is fighting the tough battle called life, we can all use more of that.

Conclusion

Of course, wallowing in self-pity and sadness is not healthy. But by harnessing the power of sadness—and reflecting and feeling sobering things—one earns great benefits from being sad. For more wisdom on dealing with sorrow, don’t hesitate to contact Mind Enhancement Center.